Photos show relatives waiting outside prisons as Venezuela frees a handful of detainees

Relatives of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists waited outside Venezuelan prisons as the government began releasing a small number of detainees nearly a week after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces.

The Associated Press
January 10, 2026 at 3:18AM

GUATIRE, Venezuela — Relatives of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists waited outside Venezuelan prisons as the government began releasing a small number of detainees nearly a week after former President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces.

President Donald Trump said the releases came at Washington's request and praised the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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ARIANA CUBILLOS and MATIAS DELACROIX

The Associated Press

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